DHS Warns of Potential Attacks Amid Iran Operation

Law enforcement bulletin cites concerns over lone-wolf and cyberattacks in the U.S.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning about potential lone-wolf and cyberattacks in the U.S. amid the ongoing military strikes in Iran. While a large-scale physical attack is considered unlikely, officials say Iran and its proxies pose a persistent threat of targeted attacks and will likely escalate retaliatory actions if reports of the Ayatollah's death are confirmed.

Why it matters

The DHS alert highlights the heightened security concerns in the U.S. following the military operation in Iran, with officials warning of the potential for attacks by Iran-aligned hacktivists or lone offenders inspired by the situation overseas. This comes as law enforcement agencies across the country have stepped up patrols in high-traffic and high-target areas.

The details

According to the law enforcement bulletin obtained by ABC News, officials are most concerned that Iran-aligned hacktivists will conduct low-level cyber attacks such as website defacements and distributed denial-of-service attacks. The bulletin also notes that while lone offenders in the U.S. have not historically been motivated by issues related to Iran, the "existential threat to the Iranian regime" and increased U.S. or Israeli actions could prompt some violent extremists or hate crime perpetrators to attack targets perceived to be Jewish, pro-Israel, or linked to the U.S. government or military.

  • The DHS alert was issued on Saturday, March 2, 2026.
  • A gunman opened fire in Austin, Texas the following day, and authorities are investigating whether the suspect was inspired by the situation in Iran.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency responsible for protecting the United States from terrorism and other homeland security threats.

Derek Mayer

The former assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service's Chicago field office, who is now the chief security officer and vice president of executive protection at P4.

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What they’re saying

“The current threat environment in the United States and across the world is, it's very dangerous right now, but it's also to say the last quarter of a century, since the September 11th attacks of 2001, the landscape across the United States and also across the world has been very dangerous.”

— Derek Mayer, Former Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service's Chicago field office, Chief Security Officer and VP of Executive Protection at P4 (ABC News)

What’s next

Law enforcement agencies across the country have stepped up patrols in high-traffic and high-target areas in response to the DHS warning.

The takeaway

The DHS alert underscores the ongoing security concerns and potential for attacks in the U.S. following military operations abroad, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect against both physical and cyber threats from Iran and its proxies.